Punjab News- Announce new projects only after ear-marking of funds: NGOs

Ferozepur, September 6, 2013: The Ferozepur District, which used to be the biggest district of the Punjab state with geographical area from Makhu to Abohar (now in Fazilka district), up to Ajitwal (now in Moga district), up to Lambi (now in Muktsar district) is now confined to three sub-divisions – Ferozepur, Guruharsahia and Zira.

After giving births to three districts, Fazilka, Moga and Muktsar, looks to be neglected.  No attention has been paid to this border town despite the fact that Cabinet Ministers of Congress and Akali governments have been from this city and BJP MLA as Chief Parliamentary Secretary.  Now with the BJP President of the state being Ferozepur born, the people have high expectations in the coming time.

No new projects have been announced for the district even those promised have not been are yet to coming like opening of a government college to facilitate for the higher education for the poor people. The other projects are, construction of bridge over the Sutlej River, near Kot Budha, to connect Ferozepur-Tarn Taran to shorter the distance by 55 kms, four-laning of the stretch of Ferozepur-Hussainiwala and opening of Hussainiwala Border for trade and transit purposes.  But all these projects are still swinging between political leaders and office files and its fate is not known to anybody.

Every political leader has announced from various dais that a government college would be set up in the name of martyrs for the needy students of the border areas even during the last Shaheedi Conference on March 23, the chief minister had announced the opening of college but it is yet to be initiated in the official capacity. No doubt, Ferozepur is having five colleges including one B.Ed college for girls but the students of economically weaker sections cannot afford to bear the fee of private colleges.  The panchayat of Mohkham Khan Wala village had even donated 12 acres of land for the college.

The shifting of central jail on Ferozepur-Fazilka road near Khai Pheme Ki on the outskirts of the town stands approved over 44 acres plot identified but still to get clearance for procedural formalities. The idea behind shifting of jail is to en-cash 60 acres prime land situated in the heart of the city.

The work on the construction of bridge over Sutlej River to connect Ferozepur-Tarn Taran is held up due to lack of funds, the foundation stone of which was laid by Parkash Singh Badal.

Inder Singh Gogia, President  Ferozepur NGOs alongwith members, when contacted, is of the view that government should announce the new projects only after the completion of previous proposed projects besides ear-marking the required funds for the purpose.